Obituary for William "Bill' Boonstra

Obituary

William "Bill" Boonstra, 88, of Zeeland, passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2017, at Sheldon Meadows in Hudsonville.

Bill was born in Detroit on December 5, 1928. He was raised in Zeeland by his parents Jack and Cora Boonstra. He graduated from Zeeland High School and began working to continue the family business at Boonstra's in downtown Zeeland. Bill served in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Korean War. He married Doreen Menken and they raised their three daughters in Zeeland. They were members of Second Reformed Church. Bill was a Zeeland firefighter for several years, and also served on Zeeland City Council. In 1991, Bill retired to Florida where he continued his hobbies as an avid golfer, a new car buff, and maintaining a near-perfect lawn and landscaping. Bill was preceded in death by his first wife Doreen in 1991, and his second wife Nelvia in 2014, his daughter Susan Watkins, and his granddaughter Terrie Jo Strach.

He is survived by his daughters: Sara and Patrick Wilde of Hudsonville, Liz and Dave Meyering of Holland; two grandchildren: Melissa, Tony; four great-grandchildren: Zack, Makenzie, Makenna, Treyton; and his lifelong friend Howard Bouwens.

Interment will take place in Florida and no services will take place in Michigan. Arrangements are by the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State Street, Zeeland.